094 The Banquet

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Qianyun Island, Yuelai Residence.

Inside a lavish private room, four men toasted and savored exquisite dishes. Outside the window, beneath the eaves, rain cascaded like delicate silk curtains. Amidst the pattering water reflections lay the magnificent scenery of Qianyun Island.

Yuelai Residence is a pristine jade-white pavilion perched atop the towering branches of the divine tree on Qianyun Island, one of the island’s ten renowned spiritual cuisine and wine establishments.

The private room’s unique location offered a lofty vantage point, overlooking the stunning vistas of the island. Even on a rainy day, it provided a refreshing and uplifting atmosphere.

Today, Meng Zitao was the host, inviting Hong Fen, Huang Luxi, and Pang Yue to drink and dine. Each of the four men was attended by a young, beautiful maid.

The maid beside Pang Yue possessed a cultivation level of the sixth tier of Food Qi, exuding a pure and gentle demeanor, delicate and enchanting in appearance.

She gracefully extended her slender, snow-white fingers, using ivory chopsticks to lift a piece of roasted beast meat to Pang Yue’s lips.

Pang Yue bit into it while it was still warm, finding the flavor exceptionally delicious.

The obedient maid softly explained, “This piece of meat is one of our signature dishes. It comes from a great demon beast at the Golden Core stage, freshly slain, then wrapped with various spiritual herbs and spices. Through secret incantations and eighteen days of baking in the alchemical furnace, it achieves such exquisite taste.”

Pang Yue was astonished. No wonder the meat brimmed with overwhelming primordial energy—it was the spiritual flesh of a Golden Core-level demonic beast!

“Zitao, you’re too generous,” he said, raising his cup to Meng Zitao.

Meng Zitao chuckled, “Brother Pang, no need for formalities. I’ve now seen through the worldly illusions and shed all shackles. It’s only fitting to celebrate properly. A few spiritual stones are nothing.”

After learning that any hope with Ye Xue was gone, he had relaxed greatly, reverting to the dashing and unrestrained eldest young master of the Meng family.

The four of them drank heartily, not uttering a single word about Ye Xue.

Hong Fen laughed, “The wine we’re drinking today is called ‘Dragon’s Chant of the Ferry.’ It’s one of Yuelai Residence’s three famed wines, said to be brewed using a certain ancient spiritual wine as a base. Each jar consumed is like losing a precious treasure!”

“For ordinary cultivators, a sip of this wine can substitute for nearly a month of arduous cultivation. And the flavor—truly indescribably marvelous!”

Among the four, Huang Luxi was the most reserved, speaking little and focusing solely on eating and drinking.

Both the Huang and Meng families were among the six great clans of the Demon Talisman Sect, renowned for their immense wealth and power.

Huang Luxi was the foremost true disciple of the Flame Demon Hall, possessing formidable strength and seldom engaging in social gatherings.

According to Meng Zitao, Huang Luxi only agreed to attend this banquet after learning that Pang Yue would be present.

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The maid then picked up a piece of green vegetable and offered it to Pang Yue, explaining, “This is the Carefree Jade Celery, which must be nurtured with the blood of late-stage Foundation Establishment demonic beasts in order to flourish...”

Over thirty dishes adorned the table, each made from rare and costly ingredients. Not only were they delicious, but each also carried a story.

Pang Yue, Meng Zitao, and Hong Fen had already become acquainted back in the Heavenly Absolute Ice Domain. Today, with the addition of Huang Luxi, the four drank and talked freely, covering topics from all corners of the world.

After several jars of “Dragon’s Chant of the Ferry,” even Pang Yue felt a slight intoxication.

The spiritual wine intoxicated the soul; it was difficult to remain fully alert relying solely on mental awareness and magical power.

Needless to say, Meng Zitao and the others were far inferior to Pang Yue in spiritual realm cultivation, all visibly affected by the wine.

At that moment, the heavy rain outside had just ceased.

The sky was clear and vast, the sunlight pure. A magnificent rainbow stretched across the horizon, breathtaking in its beauty.

In the sky floated numerous carriages, spirit beasts, auspicious clouds, and magical artifacts, all leisurely admiring the view as spiritual light flickered and shimmered in dazzling splendor.

Meng Zitao, tipsy, exclaimed, “Let’s go to the Xi Jiang Painted Boat to unwind!”

With that, he summoned a teleportation light and staggered drunkenly into the sky.

The other three followed, and soon the four arrived above a great river on the southwestern plain of Qianyun Island.

This river was named Xi Jiang. Its current was gentle, reflecting the ethereal mountain scenery, picturesque and serene.

Both banks of Xi Jiang were lined with tightly packed houses and a dazzling array of shop signs. Cultivators gathered in great numbers, creating a vibrant scene.

More than ten exquisite painted boats floated on the river, the largest stretching about a hundred zhang in length, boasting five-story pavilions—truly magnificent.

Meng Zitao led the group onto this grandest boat, entering a spacious and luxurious private room with ease.

A beautiful woman in a splendid long gown followed closely, smiling warmly, “Young Master Meng, Young Master Huang, what an honor to have you visit. Why not inform us ahead of time so we could prepare?”

Meng Zitao waved her off impatiently, “Aunt Liu, quickly bring your finest alchemical furnaces for us to see.”

The woman smiled and hurried to issue the order.

She personally brewed spiritual tea for the four men, pouring each a cup.

Soon, more than ten stunning female cultivators with breathtaking beauty entered in single file.

To Pang Yue’s surprise, all these women possessed the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment!

Two of them were even at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

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The beautiful woman introduced, “Young Master Meng, your timing is perfect. A few days ago, we received a new batch of top-tier alchemical furnaces. All are virgins, brimming with primordial yin energy—extremely nourishing... Take a look and see if any catch your eye.”

Meng Zitao smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the dozen or so female cultivators.

Some blushed, others appeared pure and innocent, while a few cast bold glances, their eyes sparkling with curiosity as they scrutinized the four men.

Hong Fen whispered to Pang Yue, “Brother Pang, these female cultivators come from minor sects and small clans. They are willing to come here in exchange for certain benefits... perhaps this too is a form of cultivation.”

Huang Luxi snorted softly, seemingly disapproving of Hong Fen’s explanation.

He then pointed at a pair of female cultivators who resembled sisters, beckoning them with a curling finger. The two immediately obediently approached, nestling like little birds by Huang Luxi’s side.

Pang Yue couldn’t help but smile silently.

Huang Luxi wrapped his arm around the slender waists of the two women, his large hand wandering provocatively, eliciting soft, coquettish sounds from them.

Meng Zitao smiled at Pang Yue, “Brother Pang, you choose first.”

Pang Yue pointed to a female cultivator nearby, “I’ll take this young lady.”

She had a snowy, delicate oval face, long legs, and a voluptuous figure—truly beautiful.

Her cultivation was also the highest among the women, reaching the sixth tier of Foundation Establishment.

The female cultivator gracefully approached Pang Yue, smiling softly, elegantly twisting her waist to sit on his lap.

From the side, her peach-like curves were round and firm, resembling a slender-necked, exquisitely shaped vase.

A subtle fragrance wafted about, intoxicating the senses further.

Meng Zitao and Hong Fen each selected a female cultivator to accompany them as well.

“Wishing the four gentlemen a delightful time,” Aunt Liu said with a bright smile before leading the remaining women away.

Meng Zitao stood, his face bearing a suggestive smile. “Brothers, there’s an auction tonight at the Antiquities Pavilion. Don’t get too carried away and miss it.”

With that, he lifted his chosen companion in his arms and headed deeper inside.

Within this suite were six elegant chambers. Pang Yue and the others each selected one, closed the doors, and set up protective wards, ensuring not a sound escaped.